Synonyms of rank

rank 1 of 3

verb

1

as in to be

to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes

my favorite pitcher ranks first in the league for number of consecutive outs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• be
• place
• rate
• stand
• grade
• seed
• count
• class
• classify
• categorize
• sort
• group
• codify
• separate
• set
• install
• compartmentalize
• instate

2

as in to classify

to arrange or assign according to type

most critics would rank him among our best actors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• classify
• grade
• distinguish
• relegate
• group
• place
• list
• sort
• categorize
• file
• distribute
• type
• class
• separate
• identify
• organize
• recognize
• codify
• order
• range
• digest
• peg
• compartmentalize
• index
• refer
• compartment
• catalog
• assort
• break down
• systematize
• alphabetize
• cull
• dispose
• array
• marshal
• draw up
• shelve
• sift
• winnow
• reclassify
• cluster
• clump
• set
• pigeonhole
• sieve
• screen
• regroup
• colligate
• subcategorize
• recategorize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lump
• mix (up)
• confuse
• scramble
• jumble
• disarrange
• misclassify
• mistype
• missort

rank

2 of 3

noun

ˈraŋk 

1

as in ranking

the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement

attained the highest rank in the Freemasons

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ranking
• level
• position
• echelon
• place
• status
• standing
• degree
• situation
• station
• stratum
• footing
• reach(es)
• rung
• rating
• order
• function
• condition
• walk
• capacity
• estate

2

as in dignity

high position within society

remembered as a woman of rank who socialized only with other members of the elite

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dignity
• nobility
• quality
• state
• highness
• standing
• class
• caste
• status
• superiority
• precedence
• fashion
• distinction
• dominance
• preferment
• primacy
• nobleness
• gentleness
• gentility
• preeminence
• loftiness
• station
• grandness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• degradation
• subordination
• debasement
• inferiority
• baseness
• commonness
• lowliness
• lowness
• subordinateness

3

as in row

a series of people or things arranged side by side

rank upon rank of cavalry came thundering down the hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• row
• queue
• bank
• file
• column
• procession
• line
• string
• chain
• tier
• train
• range
• echelon
• sequence
• cue
• array
• concatenation

4

as in category

usually ranks plural one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic

this book will someday join the ranks of the world's great novels

Synonyms & Similar Words

• category
• league
• group
• family
• classification
• tier
• class
• kind
• order
• set
• type
• grade
• genus
• species
• bracket
• generation
• division
• sort
• description
• rubric
• breed
• race
• section
• variety
• title
• manner
• branch
• specialty
• kidney
• subdivision
• subgroup
• nature
• heading
• label
• ilk
• subspecies
• like
• speciality
• subclass
• feather

rank

3 of 3

adjective

1

as in rampant

growing thickly and vigorously

covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rampant
• lush
• prosperous
• weedy
• dense
• luxuriant
• thick
• tangled
• lavish
• close
• verdant
• overgrown
• profuse
• overrun

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sparse
• dormant
• blighted
• stunted

2

as in ripe

having an unpleasant smell

smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ripe
• stinking
• strong
• fetid
• rotting
• foul
• disgusting
• reeking
• malodorous
• smelly
• rotted
• stinky
• filthy
• rotten
• dirty
• noisome
• fusty
• musty
• frowsy
• rancid
• funky
• stenchy
• putrid
• stale
• frowsty
• reeky
• offensive
• bad
• vile
• decayed
• revolting
• decomposed
• decomposing
• decaying
• spoiled
• repulsive
• spoiling
• nasty
• noxious
• odoriferous
• odorous
• skunky
• odiferous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aromatic
• scented
• sweet
• perfumed
• fragrant
• redolent
• savory
• ambrosial
• spicy
• flowery
• woodsy
• fruity

3

as in obvious

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad

the article about fairy tales was full of rank errors, such as a reference to "Cinderella biting into the poisoned apple"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obvious
• blatant
• glaring
• gross
• patent
• pronounced
• conspicuous
• distinct
• striking
• outstanding
• egregious
• marked
• sheer
• flagrant
• noticeable
• prominent
• notable
• clear
• terrible
• salient
• utter
• absolute
• remarkable
• evident
• visible
• outright
• dramatic
• plain
• showy
• perceptible
• discernible
• emphatic
• monstrous
• detectable
• downright
• arrant
• shocking
• observable
• arresting
• shameful
• abominable
• outrageous
• out-and-out
• eye-catching
• deplorable
• heinous
• awful
• stark
• preposterous
• splashy
• atrocious
• execrable
• lousy
• wretched

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inconspicuous
• imperceptible
• small
• unobtrusive
• insignificant
• trivial
• slight
• trifling
• inconsiderable
• hidden
• invisible
• inconsequential
• unnoticeable
• concealed

4

as in absolute

having no exceptions or restrictions

a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• absolute
• utter
• sheer
• total
• complete
• unconditional
• definite
• pure
• simple
• outright
• damn
• perfect
• damned
• very
• real
• categorical
• unqualified
• unmitigated
• regular
• huge
• consummate
• crashing
• profound
• thoroughgoing
• deadly
• downright
• clean
• fair
• dead
• endless
• thorough
• arrant
• constant
• blank
• unadulterated
• dreadful
• flat
• flat-out
• straight-out
• blooming
• plumb
• out-and-out
• stone
• stark
• genuine
• eternal
• unalloyed
• all-out
• perpetual
• veritable
• main
• bodacious
• supreme
• terrible
• authentic
• horrible
• undying
• extreme
• unrestricted
• unremitting
• classic
• confirmed
• superlative
• hopeless
• extraordinary
• habitual
• surpassing
• terrific
• inveterate
• frightful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• doubtful
• qualified
• questionable
• restricted
• dubious
• equivocal

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rank distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rank are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How do fusty and musty relate to one another, in the sense of rank?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic

the musty odor of a damp cellar

When is malodorous a more appropriate choice than rank?

The synonyms malodorous and rank are sometimes interchangeable, but malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

In what contexts can noisome take the place of rank?

While the synonyms noisome and rank are close in meaning, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When might putrid be a better fit than rank?

Although the words putrid and rank have much in common, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

How are the words stinking and fetid related as synonyms of rank?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rank

Verb

Miami enters Sunday ranked fifth in the ACC standings, just behind FSU. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026

The Kings also had inept special teams, ranking 28th in the NHL on the power play and 30th in penalty-killing. —Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026

Noun

Graham, a San Antonio native, began his NBA career with the Pelicans in 2011 as basketball operations intern and ascended through the ranks to become general manager in 2024. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

Black households in particular have struggled for years to join the ranks of homeowners in large part because of the real estate industry. —Amancai Biraben, Oc Register, 4 May 2026

Adjective

Cultivate trusted cross-rank advocacy and networks to support junior employees. —Jallicia Jolly, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Cosby’s good guys do things that outpace the rankest villainy in the work of other crime writers. —Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025

Phrases Containing rank

• rank and file